Apparatus for electroplating workpieces



Feb. 21, 1950 M. LANG APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING WORKPIECES 6 Shets-Sheet l F iled April 13, 1946 INVENTOR MATTHEW LANG ATTO I? N EYS Feb. 21, 1950 Filed April 13, 1946 4 M. LANG APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING WORKPIECES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO E. MATTHEW LANG ATTORN EYS Feb. 21, 1950 M. LANG APPARATUS FOR ELECTRQPLATING WORKPIECES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 13, 1946 Feb. 21, 1950 M. LANG 2,498,128

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING WORKPIECES Filed April 13, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 MATTHEW LANG hwzym ATTORNEYS Feb. 21, 1950 M. LANG APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING WORKPIECES Fild April 15, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR MATTHEW LANG Feb. 21, 1950 M. LANG APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING WORKPIECES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 13, 1946 INVENTOR MATTHEW LANG ATTOTQN E YS Patented Feb. 21, 1950 APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING WORKPIECES Matthew Lang, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Frederic B. Stevens, Inc., Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application April 13, 1946, Serial No. 661,998

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to method and apparatus for processing workpieces and, particularly, to method and apparatus for electroplating workpieces.

The particular object of this invention is to provide improved means for handling small workpieces which must be plated in quantity in order to maintain the requisite production rate.

Another object is to provide apparatus for processing workpieces in which the workpieces may be moved bodily through the several steps of a process, such as cleaning, pickling, plating and washing without removing the workpieces from their container.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus for processing workpieces through a plurality of baths in which the workpieces are carried in a revolving workpiece holderlwhich is transferred from tank to tank, the several tanks each containing the proper solution for performing a particular step in the process.

A further object is to provide an arrangement for supporting and rotating the workpiece holding barrel so that it may be removed bodily from a plating or processing tank.

A still further object is to provide a processing or electroplating arrangement in which there is a tank and a removable workpiece holding barrel in which the electrical connections to the workpieces are automatically made when the barrel is placed in the tank.

Still another object is to provide an improved means of protecting a-processing tank from the influence of the solution therein and the plating current which flows through the solution.

Another object is to provide an improved means for circulating processing fluid or electrolyte through the workpieces in an arrangement according to the foregoing objects.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the fol lowing description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a processing tank constructed according to this invention;

Figure 2 is an end View looking from the left side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view partly in section looking from the right end of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

. Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing the construction of the electrode which conducts electricity to the workpieces;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view showing one of the insulating pads which supports an electrode within the tank;

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figure l and shows the arrangementfor making contact with the cables that lead to the workpiece;

Figure 9 is a section taken substantially along the line 99 of Figure 4 and shows the journal upon which the workpiece holding barrel is rotatable;

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing one of the drive pulleys which supports and rotates th workpiece holding barrel;

' Figure 11 isa fragmentary view of a modified construction in which the workpiece holding barrel is driven by gears; Figure 12 is a section taken on the line l2-l2 of Figure 11 and shows the support and adjustment for the drive shaft which mounts the drive pinion; and

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the modified arrangement wherein the drive motor for the workpiece holding barrel is carried on the barrel supporting frame.

General arrangement According to this invention there is provided a tank for holding processing solution such as a pickling bath or electrolyte. Associated with the tank is a pump and drive motor therefor by means of which the solution maybe drawn from a lower level in the tank and recirculated in the tank at a higher level. Preferably, this circulation of the solution is continuous and means are provided for preventing the splashing of the electrolyte when the workpiece holding barrel is removed. The tank is preferably lined with a suitable -corrosion resistant insulating compound such as rubber but may, in certain instances, comprise sheets of glass ceramic or other corrosion resistant insulating substance which are loosely fitted together and which, it has been found, afford ample protection for preventing corrosion or plating out on the tank.

There is also provided a barrel for receiving workpieces which is preferably a polygon in crosssection and which is rubber covered and which is apertured with a plurality of holes small enough to prevent the workpieces from passing therethrough but large enough to provide free flow of the solution through the barrel. The barrel .has a cover which may be fastened in place so that once the workpieces are placed therein, the barrel may be rotated without the workpieces falling out. The straight sides of the barrel toss or roll the workpieces over and over as the barrel rotates so that the cleaning or plating solution has access to every portion of the surface thereof.

Associated with the-barrel is a frame which comprises spaced legs between which the barrel is received and which are connected with a horizontal supporting member that restsonthe opposite upper edges of the tank. The legs extend below the barrel but not to the bottom of the tank so that when the barrel is. in the tank it is suspended from the upper edge thereof and when it is removed from the tank it can be set on the floor to be supported by the legsof the frame.

The frame includes a countershaft which may mount pulleys or gears for driving the barrel in rotation. When pulleys are provided there are belts'which pass over the pulleys and under pulleys attached to the barrel so that the said barrel is simultaneously supported and. rotated by the drive pulleys. When gears are providedon the counter-shaft, the barrel is secured to the. legs and the counter-shaft 'gearsmerelyrotate the said barrel.

The barrel isjournaled at either end on electrical insulating bushings which, it has been found, may advantageously be constructed from a'plastic material such as polystyrene. These polystyrenebushings not only journal thebarrel but also provide a mounting for a solution circulating-pipe and'means of access for electrodes tc make. contactwith the workpieces within the barrel.

' The aforementioned solution circulatingpipe opens through one of the bushingsand has connected therewith a fittingadapted for engagement with the discharge fitting at the upper level in thetank. When the barrel is placed in the tank for a work cycle, the aforementioned-fittings are placed in engagement and the solutionis circulated from the lowerv level in the tank back to the tank through the circulating pipe-in the workpiece holding barrel.

For driving the aforementioned counter-shaft there is provided a motor which is preferably mounted on the tank and whose drive shaft extends into the. tank and mounts a clutch half which is adapted. for engagement with another clutch half carried on the countershaft. When the barrel is-lowered into the tank the-clutch halves automatically engage to give a driving engagement between motor and the countershaft and, when the barrel is lifted from the tank, the clutch halves automatically disengage.

In a plating arrangement, the tank includes a bus bar which extends around the tank and which is supported on the tank by-means of brackets and insulating pads. Suspended from the bus bar are the anodes which may comprise solid members or which may comprise open tubes within which are placed slugs or bars of thematerial .to .1 be plated. onto the l workpieces. The a workpieces-are preferablyxengaged by a'plurality of flexible cables. or danglers which pass through the bushings andawhose endsextend intothewcrkpieces. Theother ends of these cables areconnected with a contact block carried by the supporting member of the barrel supporting frame and which is electrically insulated from the said frame; This" block makes contact with another block which is carried on the tank but insulated therefromsolthatwhen the barrel-is lowered into the tank a connection is automatically established between the block on the tank and the workpieces. By connecting a suitable source of electrical energy, such as a plating generator, between the bus bar within the tank and the block carried on the tank, a circuit may be established whichywhen thettank is filled with the proper solution and the proper anode material is provided, will affect the plating of the workpieces.

.Means are provided, such as aligning studs, for properly locating the barrel supporting frame and, therefore, the barrel when the assembly is lowered. into the tank so that the electrical connections are properly made and so that the clutch halves and the fittings in the solution circulating. system are properly engaged.

Optionally, the drive motor for the barrel may be carried on the barrel supporting frame so that the solution tank need only comprise anode supporting means and the necessary electrical connections. for completing the plating circuit.

Structural arrangement Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 through 4, there is illustrated a tank at in for containing the processing solution or, as in this case, an electrolyte. The tank I0 is protected against the corrosive influence of the electrolyte by a lining material at [2 which may comprise a rubber coating but which is here shown as consisting of glass sheets. The glass sheets are placed in the tank to lie against the wall and are retained in position by any suitable fastening meansl While thisdoes not exclude the solution from contact with the tank walls as does a seamless rubber covering, it has been found in many instances the protection afforded by the glass lining is adequate and represents an easy manner of preparing anordinary tank for an electroplating process.

The tankrhas adjacent its bottom a pipe M which preferably comprises a pair of branch pipes which are suitably apertured as at It to draw the electrolyte from the; tank due to the suction of the" pump 18 which is connected with the said pipes by a-conduit 20. The pump has adischarge opening which is'connected by the conduit 22 withafitting 24 at a higherlevelin the solution tank. The pump is driven by a motor 25 and the pump and motor are mounted together on a bracket .29.that-is preferably attached to one of the end. walls of the tank.

.Thetank preferably has a stiffening flange as at 28 around the .upper edge thereof which also provides .a. support for suspending the barrel within .the tankand for the brackets which carry the anode bus bar. These brackets are indicated by the numeral 39. In Figures 1, 3 and 5 these brackets an are securedto the flange by any suitable means such as the bolts 32. For preventing electrical contact between the tank flange and any of the parts adjacent thereto, the extending edge of the flange is preferably coated with rubber-like insulating -material as at 34.

The, brackets 30 are angular members which form a ledge as' at" 36 within the tank. The brackets may be stiffened by any suitable means, if found necessary, and have their portions 36 apertured for receiving an insulating pad '33, best seen in Figure-7; which-is grooved to receive the anode bus bar 48. The anode bus bar may comprise a bent rodor may consist of straight rods fastened together with-connectors at the cameras shown .in' F-igure .1. At, one end. of the tank the anode bus bar 40 has connected therewith an upstanding plate 42 to which a cable 44 is connected so that electrical connections may be such that electricity can be conducted to the said anode bus bar.

The anode bus bar 40 supplies electrical current to suitable anode material positioned within the tank which is to be plated out on the workpieces carried in the barrel to be described hereinafter. The anodes may take any form which is found suitable but it is preferred to use the spiral container indicated at 46 in Figure 5 for holding balls of the anode material, these balls being indicated by the numeral 48. The containers 46 are roughly shaped to the contour of the work holding barrel and preferably have their lower ends supported as by a framework 50 adjacent the lower surface of the solution tank. The anode containers 4B are suspended from the anode bus bar 40 and may be arranged in any manner which is found most advantageous, this probably being with the anode containers spaced along the anode bar in order to effect substantially uniform distribution of the anode material around the workpiece carrying barrel.

One end of the tank also mounts a bracket 52 that supports a motor 54 that preferably includes the reduction gearing 56 from which extends the drive shaft 58 through the adjacent wall of the tank. Connected with the end of the drive shaft in the tank is a clutch member 60 which is adapted for engagement with a mating clutch half to be described hereinafter in connection with the workpiece holding barrel and its supporting frame.

Referring to the workpiece holding barrel and its supporting frame, the barrel itself preferably comprises a hexagonal metalframe which is covered with rubber or a rubber-like insulating material and which is perforated to allow the free flow of electrolyte therethrough. The metal frame is indicated at 62, the rubber covering at 64 and the perforations at 65. The ends of the barrel are closed by the rubber covered plates 68 which also are preferably perforated similarly to the side walls of the barrel. The barrel is closed by a lid II! which forms one side of the said barrel and which is attached to the barrel by the rubber covered screws I2. The barrel thus forms a complete enclosure for workpieces with free access thereto of the solution within the tank while the aforementioned lid or cover provides means for inserting or removing workpieces from the barrel. I In the preferred modification of this invention, the end plates 68 of the barrel have attached thereto or, preferably, integral therewith the rubber covered pulleys I4 which at one time support the barrel and drive it in rotation. The end plates 63 have secured thereto, as by the rubber covered screws [6, a flanged sleeve I8 of electrical insulating and corrosion resistant material. While any substance having sufficient strength and requisite properties of resistance to corrosion and electrical resistance may be employed for this purpose, it has been found that polystyrene is eminently satisfactory, being relatively inexpensive, easy to work and having long life in the presence of various acid and alkali baths.

The sleeves 73 each receive a bushing 80 also of polystyrene and at least the left-hand one of which has a passage 82 therethrough. The righthand one of the sleeves '18 has at least a counterbore 84 extending from the inside surface and between the passage 82 and the counterbore 84 there is secured the rubber covered and perforated pipe 86 which is adapted for continuously spraying electrolyte into the interior of the barrel.

The end of the passage 82 opposite the pipe 86 has connected therewith an elbow 88 that is connected by a length of flexible tubing 90 with a fitting 92 which is formed to cooperate with the fitting 24 that is connected with the discharge port of the pump I8. The flow passages in the fittings 24 and 92 preferably incline downwardly toward the center of the tank so that when the fittings 24 and 92 are separated and the electrolyte continues to flow it is directed downwardly and does not spray or splash over the edge of the tank. The faces 24a and 02a of the fittings 24 and-92 respectively constitute angularly disposed flat faced flanges which engage with one another to form a tight joint and are so arranged that the passage-ways through the fittings 24, 92 are aligned with one another.

The bushings 80 are also provided with a pair of bores as at 94 through which pass the flexible cables 96. The cables are covered with rubber or a suitable flexible insulating material and terminate in a metallic end portion 98 which makes contact with the workpieces. The end of one of the cables or danglers is indicated in Figure 6 wherein it will be seen that the cable proper is completely covered and terminates in a threaded end portion I 00 to which is connected the metallic end portion 98. The portion 98 may thus be removed to have the plating removed therefrom or to be replaced by an end portion of a different size. Each of the bushings 80 is formed with flats on the outer ends thereof which are received between the legs I02 of the barrel supporting frame. These legs are better illustrated in Figure 5 and comprise vertical metallic members having the laterally extending feet I04 and being covered with rubber or any other suitable corrosion resistant insulating -material to at least beyond the maximum height of solution in the tank. The legs extend beyond the bottom of the barrel so that when the barrel is removed from the tank and placed on the floor the feet form supporting members for the frame and barrel. When the barrel is within the tank the feet are above the bottom of the said tank and the legs I02 form a guiding channel for maintaining the barrel in its proper position and for holding the bushings 80 against rotation.

The legs I02 extend upwardly and are connected as by the brackets I06 to a common channel member I08 which extends from end to end of the tank. Secured between the legs I02 and beneath the channel I08 are a pair of blocks IIO which journal the shafts H2 and H4, the shafts being drivingly connected by a sleeve H6 which is keyed to both thereof. Each of the shafts II2, I I4 have keyed thereto a pulley I I8 around which pass the belts I20 that also engage the pulleys 14 of the workpiece holding barrel. The pulleys H8 and belts I 20 together with the pulleys 14 provide a support for the barrel and rotate the said barrel while it is located in position within the tank by the engagement of the legs I02 by the bushings 80.

. Keyed to the left end of th shaft I I2 is a clutch member I22 which is adapted for engagement with the clutch-half when it is in its left end, or Figure 4 position. When the clutch half I22 is moved rightwardly it is disengaged from the clutch half 60 and the barrel-and frame therefor may be lifted from the tank. The clutch half 15 l22has a groove around its outer periphery. which s. engaged cy-a pincheins arr ed on aia s. kit. which, s pivoted; at; in; on; ne of: he brackets Q63. A, spljingtat l28betgween the fprlg; {Hand the c a H181 continuously.- u es the.- o an clutch half I22; toward; engagement with the clutchhalf: 60.

For actuating the clutch, fork; I2} there is provided. the bolt; I30 that; extends through the channel mill-and; has thespaced washers I32 positioned on either side; of: an arm I3; on the said fork. Therupperend of the bolt I30: has an eye I36 and when the bolt: I.l3 fl i: moved; vertically by the bar I3 8.-thatextends th iQugh the'veye l 36'the fork I25 is rotated in a, counterclockwise direction to disengage the clutch half I22;-from; the clutch halfg filt.

The channel: I08 has fixedly mounted thereon a, second eye; M0- through, which the bar I33 also passes and an eye I42: on the, said bar providesmeans whereby a hoist maybe connected with, the barrel. supporting frameto lift the entire assemblyfrom the tank.

Preferably, the fork- I24 includes a pair-of arms Id that are pivlotal'lyi, connected with the fitting 92 sothat. the fitting 92-isxmoved away from the fitting 24' when thebarrel" supporting frame is lifted and is urgedtowardthe fitting 24 when the barrel frame is: in position; in the tank. To suppont and align the barrel supporting frame relative to the; tank, the leftendof the channel I08 hassecured thereto a bar I:46-' that carries'a pair of" adjustable aligning studs I43 which pass through corresponding apertures in the flange 28 of the! tank; The opposite .end ofthe channel I08 hasconnected therewith a bracket I50 which loosely supportsa V shaped block I52 as by the bolt Hi4 which passes through the insulating bushings I56. The-block I52'hasoonnected therewith meanszas at. I:58afor receivingthe ends ofthe cables 96'.

The V in the block '52 opens, downwardly and there ismounted on the flange 28' directly beneath the-block I52 a block I 60 which engages with the V of the block- I52 and'supports-theframe and simultaneously affects electrical contact with the block I52.

The fret-mods preferablya-ligned with the tank at the rightiend of FigureAby the aligning studs lBZWhlCh are shown iii-Figures 3 and8and which are similar tothe aligning studs I48 at the left end of the tank in Figure 4.

The-belts: I20. which. run over the pulleys H8 and It are preferably: rubbencovered: to prevent theweakening thereof? through: contact with the solution in. the" tank and have their engagement with the=pulleys IIB enhancedbyaseries of ribs I64" substantially parallelly arranged: around the working surface of the said pulleys-as shown in Figure By meansof theribsorl cogs I64 the workpiece holding barrel: may-bedriven in rotation even when a fairly heavy load of workpieces is-carried-therein.

A- modificationofthe construction is illustrated in Figure-1r wherein the workpiece holding barrel indicated at 200 is journaled' in a block 202 that is fastened between" the legs of theframe 'as by the rubber covered bolts 2M. For-driving the drum there is provided a ring geariflfi which is fastened tothe barrel bythe rubber covered screws 208; and which is formed of? any material strong; enough for the purpose of driving the barrel inrotation while being; resistant to thesolution;in -the tank; For example, a hard'rubrbero1?- Bakelite, would? satisfactoryfor the gear 2.06 IZhegean-Zllilis engaged -byi-a pinion 20s,. on the-shaft nam shat-theme; incuri as before, in the block I-'I -0 secured between thel ss f he; frame, Th c ill bow /care ceives additionalfsupport from an adjusting screw, 2H3 which passes through the channel Hi8: and threadedly engages the said block. By means; of the adjustingscrew at 2! the gears 208and;2l16;- may be moved into th most advantageousmesh: ing; engagement.

In the modification of Figure 11, the; drive atthe right hand end-of" the barrel can be;elim;i-. natedbecause of the positivev engagement; of; thedriving pinion and; ring gear;

Electrolyte is; pumped into the circulating pipe; within; the barrel throughthesupporting bushing; w c s,- abutted by a stationaryfitting 2 412; that is spring urged rightwardlyby, a,v pair Off oppositely arrangeditorsion springs 2 IA: which; are. anchored in the fixed portion 2I6 of thefitting which extends through the tank wall to be connectedwith the discharge side of the circulating. pump. The members 2il2'and' 212- may: comprise cooperating ca-msurfaces so that when thebarret and frame-are'lowered into the tankthe-cam-sure faces engage and urge themember- 212 leftwardly to permit the mating surfaces, of the said members to; fit closely together;

Figure 13 illustrates stillanother modification wherein the barrel drive motor 306: is mounted on the frame 332 that; supports the workpiece holding barrel 5584, the entire assembly being lifted from the tank 33'6- when it isdesired to place the, workpieces; in another solution or: to remove them. In the; modification shown in Rig V ure 13, it would be necessary toeither make con-i nections with the; motor 39.0 when the frame 392' was lowered into the-tank or to connect the motor 380 through trolley means so that the; assembly; could be moved from tank to tank during a process.-

It will be apparent that this invention pro-- vides means for processing small workplaces: in large quantities through a single process step or through a: plurality thereof'with a minimumof" handling of the said workpieces. Also, theprocessing of the workpieces, such as plating, is uniform because the workpieces are continuously tossed in the barrel andthe electrolyteis continuously circulated thereover.

By employing an arrangement such'as is shown in the drawings, any work cycle may be predeter mined by an arrangement of individual tanks and workpieces passed therethrough without thenecessity of designing special apparatus. Also, if, in a process of several steps in which there are several solution tanks it becomes necessary to eliminate one of the steps or to remove one of the tanks from service, this may readily be accomplished without interferingwith other steps of the process and without halting the flow of workpieces.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification inord'er tovadopt; it to different usages and conditions, and, accords ingly, it is; desired to comprehend' such modifi; cations within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an electroplating apparatus; an electrolyte holding tank; a horizontal member resting on the edges of said tank; a frame, carried by said member; downwardly extending legs car ried by said frame; a workpiece container 1;o. tatable between said? legs; a horizontal: counter I5 shaft journaled in said frame and means sup porting said container from said shaft and for driving said container by said shaft; a drive shaft on said tank in alignment with said countershaft but spaced therefrom; clutch means carried by said shafts and yieldingly urged into driving engagement; lifting means associated with said frame for lifting the same together with said container from said tank; and means responsive to the exertion of lifting force on said lifting means for automatically disengaging said clutch members.

2. In a processing apparatus for simultaneously agitating and bathing a plurality of small workpieces; a tank containing the solution in which the workpieces are to be bathed; a frame removably supported by the upper edge of said tank; a workpiece container suspended from said frame in said solution; a shaft on said frame and means drivingl connecting said shaft and said container; a circulating pipe associated with said container and having a fitting in communication therewith outside of said container; a drive shaft carried by said tank for driving the shaft on said frame; clutch means connecting said shafts; a fitting carried by said tank for engagement with the first mentioned of said fittings to supply solution under pressure to said pipe; a lever connected with said clutch means and one of said fittings and having yielding means continuously urging said fittings into engagement and said clutch means into driving relationship; a lifting bar carried by said frame and having limited movement relative thereto; and means connecting said bar with said lever whereby the first movement of said bar as said frame is lifted will disengage the clutch means and said fittings.

3. In an apparatus for processing small workpieces; a container substantially a regular polygon in cross-section; a frame having spaced legs between which said container is rotatable; a sleeve at each end of said container on which said container is rotatable and which are held against rotation by said frame while being vertically movable relative thereto; means of circulating solution through one of said members to workpieces within said cleaner; a pulley secured to said container at each end thereof; a shaft on said frame parallel to the axis of rotation of said container and having pulleys in alignment with the pulleys at each end of said container; belts passing around said pulleys for simultaneously supporting and driving said container; and means of enhancing the gripping power of the pulleys on said shaft comprising a plurality of spaced beads on the working surfaces thereof.

4. In an apparatus especially adapted for electroprocessing small workpieces: an electrolyte tank; a perforated workpiece holding container; a frame to support said container having legs to support the frame when outside of the tank and bracket means to support the frame on the tank when placed therein; cathode elements having one terminal in the container to contact workpieces and another terminal carried by the frame; an electrolyte circulating pipe extending into said container and having a fitting at one end; a drive shaft journalled on said frame and connected to drive said container in rotation; a pump having its inlet connected to draw electrolyte from said tank; another fitting in said tank at the said one end of the container connected with the pump outlet to expel electrolyte into said tank; a drive motor carried by said tank; a lifting member for said frame and container having a lost motion connection with said frame; a clutch for connecting said motor with said shaft; connections between said member and clutch and one of said fittings for automatically disengaging said motor from said shaft and said fittings from each other upon movement of said member in its lifting direction and before lifting movement of said frame and container commence; and a cathode connection on said tank positioned to engage and make electrical contact with the cathode terminal on said frame when the said frame is supported on the tank.

5. In an electroplating apparatus; an electrolyte holding tank; a horizontal frame member resting on opposite edges of said tank; downwardly extending legs carried by said frame memher; a workpiece holding container substantially polygonal in cross-section rotatable between said legs; a horizontal shaft carried by said legs and means connecting said shaft with said container for driving the container in rotation when said shaft is driven; members extending into said container from either end thereof and held against rotation by said legs; a perforated electrolyte circulating pipe supported between said members and a fitting outside of said container in communication with said pipe; a fitting carried by said tank communicating with the first mentioned of said fittings to supply electrolyte thereto under pressure; a drive shaft carried by said tank and clutch means engaging said drive shaft with said horizontal shaft; lifting means carried by said frame member and movable relative thereto; a lever operated by the movement of said lifting means; and means connecting said lever with said clutch means and said fitting in communication with the perforated electrolyte circulating pipe for effecting disengagement thereof when lifting force is exerted on said lifting means.

6. In an electroplating apparatus; an electrolyte holding tank; a horizontal frame resting on the edges of said tank; downwardly extending legs carried by said frame; a workpiece container 1 rotatably supported between said legs; a horizontal countershaft journaled in said frame and means for driving said container by said shaft; a drive shaft on said tank in axial alignment with said countershaft but spaced therefrom; clutch means carried by said shafts and yieldingly urged toward driving engagement; lifting means associated with said frame for lifting the same together with said container from said tank and having a lost motion connection with said frame; and means responsive to the taking up of the lost motion in said connection when said frame is to be lifted from said tank for disengaging said clutch members.

MATTHEW LANG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record'in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 639,766 Porter Dec. 26, 1899 1,095,328 Jordan May 5, 1914 1,207,283 Enghauser Dec. 5, 1916 1,310,662 Kellington July 22, 1919 1,541,454 Wells June 9, 1925 1,848,391 Simpson Mar. 8, 1932 1,916,465 Dawson July 4, 1933 2,035,633 Bogle Mar. 31, 1936 2,249,609 Jackson July 15, 1941 

